what is rosacea

What Is Rosacea

Rosacea (also known as acne rosacea) is a chronic skin condition characterised by redness and flushing of the face

Rosacea is a skin condition that affects the face.

You’ll sometimes hear it called acne rosacea as spots can also occur, technically it is not acne but it can cause acne-like symptoms.

The spots that can occur are often treated with antibiotics, this can quite often clear the spots but not always.

It normally affects those with fair skin, its less common in those with darker skin. Women are more commonly affected by rosacea but the symptoms are often a lot more severe in men. It usually first occurs between 30-40 years of age but younger people are affected too, even babies. It can range from very mild, slight symptoms to very severe.

Statistics show that 1 in 10 people in the UK suffer from Rosacea

Rosacea usually affects the cheeks, forehead, nose and around the mouth and chin. In very rare cases, the arms and the back can be affected.

The symptoms are usually just on the central parts of the face – on the cheeks, forehead, nose, around the mouth and chin. Skin on other parts of the head is sometimes affected. Rarely, skin on the arms or back is affected.

There are a couple of complications associated with rosacea and these include;

Ocular Rosacea

Symptoms of Ocular Rosacea include;

Mild irritation of the eye, i.e feeling as if an eyelash is in the eye

Dry eye

Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

Itchy, stinging, or burning sensation in the eye,

Styes, cysts or blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)

A rare complication of ocular rosacea is infection of the cornea, the front of the eye. This is extremely serious and if you experience eye pain or problems with vision you should see a doctor urgently.

Rhinophyma

Rhinophyma is thickening of the skin, thankfully, it is quite a rare occurrence with rosacea.

It commonly affects the nose and gives the nose an unsightly bulbous, lumpy appearance.

Symptoms of Rosacea

Flushing/Blushing, this can be constant or come and go

Erythema (Redness) of the skin

Telangiectasia; this is where small blood vessels under the skin become noticeable

Small papules and pustules (small spots and cysts)

Burning/Tingling sensation

Rosacea in itself is not dangerous but the psychological effect can be damaging.

Because of the flushing and redness, some sufferers are sometimes mistaken for someone with a drink problem. Certain situations can often exacerbate the condition, particularly a stressful situation, spicy food and hot drinks.

Rosacea Causes

Its not fully understood what causes rosacea as there is at present, no proven causes but theories include;

Demodex mites. A demodex mite is a tiny mite that lives on the skin and is in normal cases completely harmless, but a few people produce more mites than others and this is thought to be a possible cause of rosacea.

Leaky blood vessels under the skin

Sun damage

Genetics or a strong family history of rosacea

Overuse of steroid creams on the face

Treating Rosacea

Treatment options for Rosacea are limited as there is no known cure.

For eryrthma and telangiectasia, laser or light therapy is a popular option as it can help to reduce the appearance of erythema and remove telangiectasia.

It does this by beaming a concentrated beam of light or laser of a certain wavelength to destroy tiny blood vessels just below the skin’s surface and does not damage the surrounding tissue.

For spots and cysts, antibiotics are commonly used, although rosacea isn’t proven to be caused by bacteria, antibiotics can help to clear the spots in some cases.

Metronidazole , tetracycline or erythromycin are a few of the antibiotics used to treat spots and cysts. It can take time to work, usually between 6 and 12 weeks.

Sometimes azelaic acid is used as an alternative to antibiotics.

Special camouflage creams can be used to help mask the redness.

If eyes are affected because of rosacea, artificial tears can help solve the prodblem of dry eye. Sometimes antibiotic tablets are used to help settle eye inflammation and discomfort. In more severe cases, steroid eye drops may be advised.

For thickened skin (rhinophyma) surgery or laser treatment is quite effective at helping to reduce the thickened skin.

Natural Treatments For Rosacea

One natural treatment for Rosacea that we can highly recommend is Skinception Rosacea Relief Serum.

Skinception Rosacea Relief Serum offers a natural and synergistic solution to the symptoms of rosacea.

With an all natural formulation containing ingredients such as Allantoin and Camellia Sinensis extract, Rosacea Relief Serum works to:

Soothe inflamed skin

Reduce burning and discomfort

Soften thickened skin

Help to fade blood vessels/spider veins

Provides gentle moisturisation

Safe, gentle, effective and best of all, there’s no need for a prescription!

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The information in this website is for advice and guidance only. It is based on my own intensive research and personal experiences, and is not intended in any way to replace professional medical advice, or to diagnose or treat any health conditions.
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